Clarington on the map in 2012 -- Thanks to Bev Oda and the OJ

Former Durham MP spending scandal and resignation newsmaker of the year

Bev Oda

CLARINGTON -- If there's no such thing as bad publicity, Clarington had a big year on the national stage when former Durham MP Bev Oda was embroiled in a spending scandal and resigned suddenly.

In April, Ms. Oda faced an outcry over her spending while at a conference in London, England where, as minister for international cooperation, she upgraded from a five-star hotel to luxury accommodation. Following the criticism, she apologized and reimbursed the difference in cost between the two hotels ($1,134), the cancellation fee ($287), a limo ($2,850) and expensed orange juice ($16).

Opposition parties criticized Ms. Oda for repaying the money only after her expenses became public and made hay of the $16 orange juice.

On Tuesday, July 3, the embattled politician announced in a press release that she would be stepping down as the member of Parliament for Durham on July 31. There was no explanation for the mid-term resignation in the statement.

"For over eight years, it has been an honor and privilege to have served the constituents in Clarington, Scugog and Uxbridge," Ms. Oda said in the press release.

Just two days earlier, she had participated in Bowmanville's Canada Day festivities and gave a speech with no mention of her resignation.

First elected in 2004, Ms. Oda has served as the critic for Canadian heritage, the minister for Canadian heritage and the minister for international cooperation.

Over her career, Ms. Oda faced controversy over concerns raised about her spending while travelling and an altered CIDA funding document with the word 'not' added in handwriting.

Even after her decision to step down, the scandals kept coming.

In mid-July news broke that Ms. Oda bought an air purifier for smoke in her office and expensed the cost to taxpayers.

Barely two weeks later it was outed that she had repaid five other "inappropriate expenses" after the original spending story caused a stir.

Through it all Ms. Oda was been notably silent, communicating with the press through her press secretary and written statements. All requests for interviews were denied.

Ms. Oda's Bowmanville office was renamed the Durham constituency office until a new MP could be elected.

While Durham riding was without a federal representative, a plan was unveiled that would divide the municipality into three different electoral ridings.

"We don't have an MP to go to (with concerns)," said Mayor Adrian Foster while Clarington council was rallying to fight the change.

When the November byelection -- estimated to cost $900,000 -- was held to fill her vacant seat, Ms. Oda did not publicly support Conservative candidate Erin O'Toole and was not seen at the celebration after Mr. O'Toole won.

After eight years as a federal politician, Ms. Oda will receive a pension of $52,183 a year, according to estimates from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.